Duke Suffers Disappointing Season

Zach Duke made his final start of 2006 on Friday night and was tagged with a 5-2 loss to the Reds. Despite a superb month of September, the 23-year-old Duke is completing a disappointing first full season in the majors after showing so much promise in 2005.

He was 8-2 with a 1.81 ERA in 14 starts last season after being called up in July. Duke had allowed only seven earned runs in September, but was tagged with four earned runs against the Reds. He finished the season 10-15 with a 4.47 ERA in 35 starts. He tossed 215 innings to pace the rotation.

George Von Benko interviews Pirates pitcher Zach Duke.

Click here to play interview